by Joy Padgett/ OEPA’s Office of Outreach and Customer Support at 614-644-3783 or [email protected]
Ohio EPA’s Encouraging Environmental Excellence (E3) Program recognizes exceptional achievements in environmental stewardship. Through this program, any business, industry, trade association, professional organization or local government in Ohio can be recognized for their commitment to environmental excellence. Applications for the awards are evaluated using environmental stewardship criteria developed by Ohio EPA.
The program uses a three-level approach beginning with recognition for completing environmentally beneficial activities and escalating to higher levels of recognition for those who exceed regulatory requirements or commit to future environmental stewardship efforts.
The E3 Achievement Award recognizes applicants completing environmentally beneficial activities. Applications are accepted throughout the year. Applicants must be in compliance with environmental laws and regulations, and must have demonstrated significant progress in one of the following main criteria:
- Impact to the environment (toxins and/or waste reduction)
- Resource conservation (recycling, reuse and/or use of renewable materials)
Achievement level participants must also demonstrate some level of progress in at least six additional environmental stewardship criteria and submit a general statement indicating that they are in compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
Achievement Level Benefits
- A certificate of recognition signed by the Director of Ohio EPA
- A listing on the Ohio EPA website
- An article highlighting the applicant’s accomplishments in Ohio EPA-DEFA’s e-newsletter and other publications
- A decal with the E3 logo to display at the applicant’s location
The E3 Silver Level Award recognizes an organization’s exceptional achievements in environmental stewardship. Applications will be accepted annually in the Fall and include both written and on-site evaluations. Applicants must be in compliance with environmental laws and regulations for a year prior to receipt of their application.
Silver Level Benefits
- An E3 flag to hang at the recipient’s location
- An Ohio EPA news release touting the recipient’s environmental accomplishments
- An invitation to an awards ceremony and, possibly, a site visit by the Director of Ohio EPA
- An article highlighting the applicant’s accomplishments in Ohio EPA-DEFA’s e-newsletter and other publications
The E3 Gold Level Award recognizes an organization’s exceptional achievements and ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. Applications are accepted annually in the Fall and include both written and on-site evaluations. Applicants must be in compliance with environmental laws and regulations for a year prior to receipt of their application.
Gold Level Benefits
- An E3 flag to hang at the recipient’s location
- An Ohio EPA news release touting the recipient’s environmental accomplishments
- An invitation to an awards ceremony and, possibly, a site visit by the Director of Ohio EPA
- An article highlighting the applicant’s accomplishments in Ohio EPA-DEFA’s e-newsletter and other publications
- The opportunity to work with Ohio EPA on regulatory and permitting flexibility options, potentially including expedited permit review, reporting flexibility, reduced inspection frequency, and other options
To learn more about applying for recognition under the Encouraging Environmental Excellence Program, visit www.epa.ohio.gov/ocapp/ohioe3.aspx or contact by phone at Mike Kelly at 614-644-2930 or by email at [email protected]
